# Chapter 13
The guild master left first, saying he had matters to attend to, and Dohyun was entrusted to Handam. Since Handam had personally taken over Dohyun and was helping with his training, he continued to look after him. That’s why, since coming to the guild, Handam was the person Dohyun had talked to the most after Chan. Although Dohyun typically didn’t let unfamiliar people into his personal space, he couldn’t reject Handam, who was considerate of him from the position of a senior Esper.
“You might be even busier after this gate conquest ends, Esper Baek Dohyun.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Besides tax issues, there are things you need to handle after your first gate conquest. Chan will probably help a lot, but since he’s an employee, he’ll have to deal with paperwork…”
“Ah, I see…”
“Since you’re a non-combat type, the conquest might feel burdensome. You’ll probably wonder why you have to go when there’s nothing you can do.”
“That’s right.”
“The guild master said that entering the gate might be more helpful for Esper Baek Dohyun. Basically, the energy in gates closely resembles Esper energy.”
The explanation was that they had scheduled the conquest so Dohyun could directly experience the energy inside the gate, which would help him properly use his ability. As Handam apologized for proceeding without properly asking first, Dohyun shook his head.
Dohyun had seen many people who would get angry or pretend not to know and make excuses after doing something wrong. He had experienced many bosses who would shout confidently despite not paying young Dohyun proper wages, and when a repair technician saw his shabby, empty room and sloppily fixed the boiler, Dohyun had to endure unreasonable scolding, being told it was his fault for not maintaining it properly. Because he had no guardian, situations were often resolved by making everything seem like Dohyun’s fault.
Compared to those experiences, this was nothing. He’d been given a reason and received an apology, so it was fine.
“The goal this time is to enter the gate, feel other Espers using their abilities, and observe monster attacks directly to identify energy waves. So if you feel anything at all, make sure to let us know.”
Dohyun nodded at Handam’s words. If he couldn’t sense energy this time, he didn’t know if he would be allowed to participate in the next gate conquest. After all, protective personnel had been specifically assigned for him.
When Dohyun arrived at the gate and got out of the car, he immediately encountered a guide standing in front of him. It was Haegang.
Seeing this impassive face before even entering the gate. Even though it was a low-grade gate, and Haegang probably wouldn’t mock him as before since they were about to enter, there was no need to cause unnecessary trouble.
“Don’t feel pressured.”
Unexpectedly, however, Haegang said something unlike his usual self. Dohyun’s eyes shook violently as he looked at him.
Though he tried to act nonchalant, Haegang’s words weren’t wrong. They had said it wasn’t just because of him that they were conquering an F-grade gate, but nevertheless, he had created a dangerous situation by entering the gate as a burden. But for Haegang to notice that he felt pressured…
Was it sincere encouragement? Or was it just a show of caring for the Esper because there were many people around?
For Dohyun, Haegang was someone whose outside and inside were different. Haegang’s artificiality was too apparent in behaviors like asking about meals despite not seeming curious, or asking every day if Dohyun was okay even though they saw each other daily due to guiding. Dohyun could only respond awkwardly.
“Yes…”
Even if told not to feel pressured, it wasn’t something easily done. Haegang didn’t seem to expect much of a positive response either, as he walked a bit farther away from Dohyun.
The people gathered in the open space seemed busy with preparations. Association members and Somyeong Guild employees were moving busily, precisely pinpointing where the gate would open. As Dohyun entered the order maintenance line with the people he came with, those guarding nearby extended the line further to prevent others from entering.
“Oh, Team Leader!”
“It’s been a while.”
The team leader of the Association’s Awakened Support Team was there. The team leader, who had been greeting others, noticed Dohyun and Haegang and approached them.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, hello.”
Dohyun was about to step back after just greeting him since the team leader looked busy, but the team leader continued.
“Is Somyeong Guild treating you well?”
“Oh, Team Leader. We’re treating him incredibly well! Right, Esper Dohyun?”
“…You don’t need to worry about it. The guild master tends to put pressure on people like this.”
“That’s too much!”
Dohyun knew that associations and guilds had to maintain close relationships, but seeing the guild master and the association team leader joking with each other made it clear they were friends.
Dohyun wondered if he should also try to talk like that, pretending to be friendly. Deliberately speaking to someone with whom the relationship was awkward and taking actions to become closer was very difficult for Dohyun. It was hard enough to naturally become close over a long time.
He was just about to quietly slip away from them when—
“Are you nervous?”
But why are you talking to me? Dohyun, who had tried to slip away from the group slightly, faced his dedicated guide who was speaking to him again.
Haegang wore his usual indifferent expression. Normally, when someone asks if you’re nervous, isn’t there concern mixed in their voice? Despite initiating the conversation, there wasn’t any worry detectable in Haegang’s voice. It just felt like he was checking if Dohyun was really nervous.
“Yes, no, I mean no.”
“I see.”
“But… why does it matter to you whether I’m nervous or not?”
Even as he said it, Dohyun regretted it, but it was a genuine question for him. Whether he was nervous or not, it shouldn’t matter to Haegang. But aware that his tone had been poor, he glanced at Haegang, who surprisingly showed no particular reaction.
“You looked quite troubled, so I asked.”
“Well… it’s because a high-ranking person came and spoke to me.”
Dohyun didn’t continue. If he couldn’t be component 1 of society, he just wanted to be 1 among the many ordinary Espers. He didn’t want to stand out, but between being an uncommon non-combat type and not properly knowing his ability, the attention from people made him uncomfortable. The same went for Haegang. There was no need to accurately convey his thoughts to someone who was just a contracted guide, so he only showed his discomfort.
“That’s because Esper Baek Dohyun is an S-grade Esper, so Team Leader came to check on you.”
“S-grade?”
“Important people from the Association will pay attention to you. It’s also a conquest by the top-ranked guild.”
“…I’m nothing special.”
And I can’t even use my ability properly. Thinking that an Esper who could actually help with gate conquest would be better, even if of a lower grade, Dohyun looked around.
He saw a C-grade Esper standing a little distance away, running to a guide to receive guiding. The words “I’m counting on you today too” reached his ears. It seemed to be a defense-type Esper. He shifted his gaze a bit more. Despite it being a low-grade gate, Espers and guides of various grades were preparing. The Espers were warming up before participating in the conquest, and the guides were safely waiting to guide the Espers.
Dohyun acutely felt that he was the only one not being of any help among these busy people.
“Does that matter?”
“Pardon?”
“Since you’re an Esper, other people will watch you anyway. If you worry about each and every glance, you won’t live your full life. Why take it to heart when people are just coming to see me because I’m impressive? Just ignore it.”
At this seemingly brazenly confident attitude, Dohyun could only move his lips.
‘It must be nice to be genuinely confident like you, Guide.’
Isn’t it difficult to say you’re impressive with your own mouth? The words came out so naturally that it was astonishing. Of course, being tall, handsome, and awakened as a high-grade guide, he must have high confidence and self-esteem.
Thinking this, Dohyun resolved to more diligently check his matching rates with other guides once the conquest was over. Though he had contracted with Haegang as a dedicated guide, it didn’t mean he couldn’t look for others.
He seems to have gotten off on the wrong foot from the beginning. And now, confirming that their personalities were completely different, that resolution became even firmer. Having confident friends was already overwhelming, and if someone like that increased around him, his energy might be drained to the point of dying young.
“Gate opening. We ask that those who are not part of today’s conquest team please move outside the safety line.”
At the Association employee’s voice, guild employees greeted the conquest team and retreated from the gate. Dohyun wished he could become one of those employees and disappear, but he dutifully moved his feet and entered the gate.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Since it’s an F-grade gate, there won’t be a boss monster. Guide, since you’ve made a dedicated contract with Esper Baek Dohyun, you can wait near the entrance of the gate with the other guides. Please only guide Esper Baek Dohyun.”
“Yes.”
“I have a question~. Could you possibly help a bit with guiding other Espers as well?”
“If it’s non-contact guiding, that’s fine.”
“Ah… I understand. Even that much is appreciated~.”
While Somyeong Guild members were asking Haegang various questions and making requests, Dohyun stood there in a daze. He had entered, but now what should he do? The feeling of being a useless workforce wasn’t particularly pleasant.
High-grade guides were extremely precious. Especially if they were B-grade or above, it was common for them to work as freelance guides rather than being affiliated with a guild, only providing guiding when they wanted. Since S-grade guides could be counted on one hand, Espers focused all their attention on A-grade guides. Even among the guides who entered today, Haegang was distinctly high-grade. This meant he was a resource that could be of considerable help in the conquest.
On the other hand, Dohyun couldn’t directly participate in or help with the conquest, so he had to move with the guide. Although he definitely had better stamina and strength compared to the guide, he was significantly weaker than even an F-grade combat-type Esper despite being S-grade. So he had to safely hide himself.
Thinking about an escape route, Dohyun suddenly looked at Haegang. After all, wasn’t he a guide? No matter how well he maintained his body, wouldn’t he be weaker than Dohyun? Espers had to save their contracted guides when dangerous situations arose.
If an Esper enters a gate with a guide, the contracted Esper must protect the contracted guide from danger with all their strength.
Dohyun suddenly remembered a line from the precautions he had received from Chan.
But what could he do? It was questionable.
Nevertheless, Dohyun stood near Haegang. The other guides belonged to Somyeong Guild, but wasn’t Haegang a freelancer? Dohyun was the only one who could prioritize protecting Haegang over the other guides.
“…? Why are you coming this way?”
“Don’t I need to protect you?”
I’m an Esper after all. Even if I can’t use my abilities. Although the reason wasn’t attached to the end of his words, Haegang seemed to understand what he meant and made an indescribable expression.
…Is this not right?
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
